A man who eluded police on Tuesday evening, Feb. 14 was arrested the next day for felony auto theft, possession of stolen property, evading police, possession of a controlled substance, and hit and run.

Officer Vince Hooper was dispatched to 3013 Tenth Street at approximately 9:25 p.m. for a report of a suspicious acting man near a red Chevrolet pickup. Hooper arrived and saw the pickup leaving the parking lot of the apartment complex and followed. A traffic stop was initiated with the driver pulling to the west curb on Ninth Street, south of Lawrence Street. Dispatchers advised the truck was stolen out of Livermore on Feb. 10. The vehicle then sped off southbound on Ninth Street. Officer Hooper pursued the vehicle around for several minutes reaching speeds to 65 to 70 mph until the driver lost control and struck a planter and shrubs in the front yard of 2945 Fifth Street. The driver ran westbound into the backyard of 2937 Fifth Street where he disappeared.

A jacket and cell phone found in the backyard led police to identify the driver as Robert Lee Graham, 24, of Ceres. Also left behind was a plastic bag containing crystal methamphetamine, a syringe, and marijuana.
The next day Officer Hooper found Graham at 2464 Lawrence Street where he was sleeping.